SB 2347 Summary

• Creates new chapter regulating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Hawaii, defining operators, personal information, and establishing prohibited acts including collecting personal information without written consent and operating below 25 feet over residential property without permission.

• Prohibits law enforcement from using UAVs to gather evidence without a warrant, but allows emergency deployment for preventing death or serious injury, search and rescue, hostage situations, and training exercises.

• Exempts public agencies from restrictions when using UAVs for environmental response, disaster relief, explosive device disposal, monitoring populations, atmospheric testing, and agricultural purposes.

• Exempts licensed businesses from restrictions when using UAVs within their professional scope, including property appraisers, public utilities, aerial mapping, cargo delivery, and safe operation purposes.

• Prohibits equipping UAVs with weapons and establishes civil liability for individuals violating personal information protections, with remedies including injunctions, damages, attorney's fees, and amends privacy offense statutes to specifically address UAV use.